housing justice
Baltimore City Rental Property Registration and Licensing Law
Non owner-occupied properties in Baltimore City are required to be registered with the City. Also, non owner-occupied rental properties also have to be inspected and licensed, in addition to the registration requirement. Baltimore's licensing law went into effect in 2018, and applies to single-family homes as well as multifamily properties (apartments), rental condos, etc. A Baltimore City landlord cannot charge or collect rent for a property that is not inspected and licensed. Please go here to download the sections of Baltimore City Code that cover registration, licensing, and inspections. (This link will open a PDF file). For more information on ...
Maryland Rent Escrow: My Landlord Won’t Make Repairs! Now What?
We receive quite a few inquiries from tenants who are living in unimaginable circumstances. No heat or hot water in the winter, basements and walls covered in black mold, leaky roof, flooded basements, even a collapsed ceiling or two, and they’ve contacted the landlord to ask about repairs and maintenance. Their circumstances may vary, but the question at the end of the email is generally the same: “What can I do now?” Tenants have the right to safe and habitable housing. The landlord has a responsibility to maintain the property -- when the landlord fails to make repairs, you have ...
Maryland Counties With Rental Registration/Licensing Requirements
We get a lot of questions from both landlords and tenants about rental licensing and/or registration. The jurisdictions below are where most of our registration and licensing questions originate from. This list is by no means complete — please do your research if you’re a landlord or tenant, and contact your local planning, zoning, or housing department for more information. Allegany County (Cumberland) Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis Baltimore City (You can also click here to download the applicable section of Baltimore City code.) Baltimore County Carroll County (Westminster) Dorchester County (Cambridge) City of Frederick (Starts January 1, ...
Tenant Advocacy Intake Form
Please note: We do not provide financial assistance. If you are a tenant and you are being evicted for failure to pay rent, please call 211 and ask for the Coordinated Eviction Prevention Intake/ACE Program.
Fair Housing
Fair Housing Economic Action's Fair Housing work roots out discrimination in housing and assist Maryland residents with resolving housing discrimination complaints. To do this... we educate individuals and organizations about housing rights. we work to resolve housing discrimination complaints. we advocate on behalf of individuals and communities facing current and historic discrimination. we educate housing providers about their responsibilities. You can download a list of State, Federal, and local protected classes here, along with our program flyer and information on Maryland's HOME Act and Disability Rights. New for 2026! Download our new Guide to Fair ...
Tenant Advocacy
Tenant Advocacy Our tenant advocates advance housing justice in Maryland through direct service, research, and advocacy. Services include assistance with landlord-tenant issues and tenants’ rights information and education. If you are a tenant and you are being evicted for failure to pay your rent, please call 211 and ask for the Coordinated Eviction Prevention Intake/ACE Program. In Baltimore County, you may be able to get assistance through the Baltimore Coordinated Entry Team. Call 410-887-8463, and press 1 to leave a detailed message. You should receive a call back within 24 hours. Our landlord-tenant work is unique ...
Securing Older Adult Resources
Securing Older Adult Resources Program (SOAR) The Securing Older Adult Resources Program (SOAR) works to improve the economic security of older adults in Maryland through direct assistance, research, advocacy, and organizing. SOAR provides support with the Maryland Homeowners and Renters Property Tax Credits, earned benefit screenings, and financial counseling, along with consumer education focused on Maryland tax credits, financial exploitation, common scams, and digital literacy. You can download our program flyer here. "SOAR assists some of the most vulnerable Marylanders access credits and programs that they're entitled to. When referring clients it's great to know they are ...
Housing Justice
Cars & Auto Insurance Everyone has the right to safe, affordable housing free from discrimination, harassment, and code violations. Our Tenant Advocacy and Fair Housing programs assist thousands of Maryland residents each year struggling with unsafe, illegal, or discriminatory housing situations. Our policy advocacy is directly shaped by the people we work with as we seek to create systemic change that leads to better housing for everyone. Homeownership can be a vital aspect of wealth-building for low-and-moderate income families. The 2009 mortgage crisis devastated thousands of working families across Maryland who lost wealth and equity throughout the ...
About
About Us Our Values At Economic Action, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people and prioritize the needs of marginalized communities through our focus on collaboration and coalition efforts. We value a data-driven, strategic, and innovative approach to justice that empowers people. Mission Economic Action Maryland Fund champions economic rights, equal opportunity, and housing justice through advocacy, research, and direct service. Vision Economic Action Maryland Fund envisions an inclusive and just economy in which all Marylanders’ basic needs are met ...